On the morning of March 3, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov went on a two-day official visit to the Republic of Turkey. A few hours later, the presidential airliner landed at the Ankara Esenboga International Airport. From the airport, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov proceeded to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, to take part in the solemn flower-laying ceremony. The magnificent building is located on a high hill in the center of Ankara. In a solemn atmosphere, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov laid a splendid wreath at the burial site of the founder of the Republic of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, having paid the tribute to the memory of the outstanding politician and statesman of Turkey by a moment of silence. From the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the Turkmen leader’s motorcade headed for the “Turkmenistan” Park, located in the “Dikmen Vadisi” - one of the most picturesque modern park complexes of Ankara, where there is a monument to the great Turkmen poet and thinker - Magtymguly Fragi. Paying tribute to Magtymguly Fragi, whose oeuvre is the national heritage and an integral part of the treasures of world culture, the Turkmen leader laid a beautiful wreath at the monument. Then, the motorcade of the President of Turkmenistan, accompanied by the mounted escort of honor, proceeded to the residence of the President of the Republic of Turkey – the “Aksaray” Palace, where an official arrival ceremony for the high Turkmen guest took place. At the main entrance, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov was cordially welcomed by President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. After the heads of two states posed for official photographs against the state flags of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan invited the eminent Turkmen guest to his office to hold the bilateral summit talks in the one-to-one format. In the course of the talks, conducted in the atmosphere of mutual understanding and constructive, businesslike spirit, the heads of two states discussed the realization progress of the earlier reached bilateral agreements, exchanged views on a broad range of the Turkmen-Turkish cooperation issues. Having concretized the key vectors of cooperation at present and in prospect, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed the mutual intention of Turkmenistan and Turkey to deepen and develop the productive partnership with its considerable and diversified potential. During the meeting, the sides also exchanged opinions on a number of topical issues of regional and international policy of mutual interest. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov invited President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan whenever it would be convenient to him. This invitation was gratefully accepted. The timing of the visit will be negotiated through the diplomatic channels. Then, the enlarged talks were held in the Big Conference Hall with participation of members of the two countries’ official delegations. Appreciative to the Turkmen leader of his constant attention to the Turkmen-Turkish cooperation issues, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has emphasized that the people of his country are sincerely proud of the Turkish companies’ participation in the large-scale reform-oriented programs and major infrastructure projects ongoing in Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and contributing to the country’s rapid socio-economic progress. Having noted with satisfaction concurrence or similarity of the two countries’ approaches to important issues of global development, the head of Turkey confirmed the Turkish side’s intention to continue active cooperation with Turkmenistan within authoritative regional and international organizations, first of all, the UN, including coordination of efforts to consolidate peace and security, to counteract against dangerous threats and challenges, to ensure favorable conditions for sustainable development. Highlighting the progressive dynamics of the Turkmen-Turkish trade-economic relations evidenced by steady growth of trade turnover between the two countries, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also stressed Turkey’s great interest in further expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation in such important directions as the energy, transport-communication and industrial sectors. Focusing on the issues of cooperation in the humanitarian field, which is an integral part of the intergovernmental dialogue, the head of Turkey has spoken in favor of deepening the traditional fruitful relations in the sphere of education, science and culture. There are also good opportunities for cooperation in the field of tourism, to development of which both countries give priority. Having stressed that this year is marked by the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality, the head of Turkey warmly congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and the entire Turkmen people on this remarkable date, which is widely and internationally celebrated, having expressed his intention to take part in the festive celebration to be held in Ashgabat. The floor was given to the President of Turkmenistan. The nation’s leader has emphasized that similarity or concurrence of the parties’ viewpoints on present-day burning issues, and first of all, on the issues of peace and development, security and counteraction against the challenges that threaten all mankind, is a reliable basis for further promoting partnership in the international arena. We attach considerable importance to the partnership with Turkey in the implementation of Turkmenistan’s initiatives on safe and secure transit of energy resources, the head of the Turkmen state continued. The bilateral agreements reached in the fuel and energy sector, are focused on the strategic future of cooperation between the two countries in this field. Speaking of the strategic nature of international transport and communications infrastructure development, the leader of nation has noted that the fruitful cooperation established between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Turkey in this sector, is of great importance on the interregional and global dimension. As President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said, the two countries have good grounds for taking leading positions in creating the “East-West” modern transport corridor. The fact that today about 600 Turkish companies and business structures productively work in various branches of Turkmenistan’s economy, serves as an eloquent example of the close and active bilateral trade-economic interaction growing from year to year between the two countries. According to the last year’s results, Turkey took second place in the total trade turnover of Turkmenistan. The volume of bilateral trade turnover exceeded US $6 billion, and increased by 26.6 percent as compared to 2013. There are all potentialities available to significantly increase this indicator in years to come. In this regard, the nation’s leader marked the significant contribution of Turkish partners to the development of Turkmenistan’s textile industry. The head of Turkmen state also noted with satisfaction that many concrete examples of mutually beneficial cooperation could be cited in the energy, construction, transport sectors, processing and food industries, and others. Thus, such large projects as construction of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport and the Ashgabat International Airport, highways, road interchanges and overpasses were entrusted to Turkish companies. Turkish partners also actively participate in constructing facilities of Turkmenistan’s chemical industry. Our countries efficiently cooperate in the power industry as well – Ashgabat’s electricity supply system renovation project is being implemented by Turkish companies. Besides, Turkish companies are building large power stations in Lebap and Mary velayats. Many projects in the agricultural and food industries of Turkmenistan have been realized with participation of Turkish partners. There is also a wide field for productive cooperation in the tourist industry. A number of modern infrastructure facilities erected in the “Avaza” National Tourist Zone (which is being created on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea) are the result of interaction with Turkish partners as well. The experience gained in this field creates a solid foundation for the upcoming large-scale work. Turkmenistan and Turkey have also accumulated rich experience of effective interaction in the field of science and education, which creates a secure basis for the interstate dialogue advancement in practice. One of the largest and most prestigious higher education institutions of Turkmenistan - International Turkmen-Turkish University will increase its capabilities in this direction. A complex of new buildings of the University, tooled with modern technologies, educational aids and equipment will be commissioned next year. Upon completion of the talks, the ceremony of signing bilateral documents was held. The documents signed are: the Agreement on cooperation between the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK); the Protocol on realization of the project “Construction of a soil-based and soilless greenhouse” between S. A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) under the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey; the Memorandum of Cooperation in the sphere of culture between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey; the Agreement on cooperation in the field of labor, social protection and employment assistance between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Turkey; the Agreement on international coordinated goods transportation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Turkey. To the applause of the ceremony attendees, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan affixed their signatures to the Joint Statement. After the ceremony, the heads of two states made an address to the press. In the afternoon, the President of Turkmenistan proceeded to the Central Office of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, where a solemn ceremony of conferring the academic title of “Doctor Emeritus of the University of Economics and Technology” on the Turkmen leader was held. At the entrance to the edifice, the Turkmen leader was heartily welcomed by Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Rifat Hisarciklioğlu and University Rector Adem Şahin, representatives of scientific community, business circles of Turkey, as well as members of the official delegation of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen leader was presented with flowers. The President of Turkmenistan went to the conference hall, where representatives of scientific intelligentsia and business communities of Turkey, teaching staff, postgraduates and students of the University, as well as Turkmen students, who study in the fraternal country, gathered to participate in the remarkable event. Opening the solemn ceremony, University Rector Adem Şahin acquainted the audience with the large-scale scientific activities of the President of Turkmenistan, the fundamental reforms carried out on the initiative and under the leadership of the head of Turkmen state and aimed at bringing the Turkmen science to a new, higher level and developing mutually beneficial international cooperation in this area. The resolution on conferring on President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov the title of “Doctor Emeritus of the University of Economics and Technology of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey”, which was unanimously approved by the members of the University Academic Council, was announced in a particularly solemn atmosphere. The Turkmen leader was honored with this high title for his great personal contribution to strengthening the friendly and fraternal relations between the Turkmen and Turkish peoples, for the outstanding achievements in developing bilateral ties in the field of science and education. Then, Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Rifat Hisarciklioğlu took the floor. Having warmly congratulated the Turkmen leader on the honorary academic title, Mr. Rifat Hisarciklioğlu has noted that Turkey is sincerely proud of Turkmenistan’s impressive achievements - outcomes of the constructive policy of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, aimed at the country’s steady socio-economic progress, prosperous and happy life of the Turkmen people. To the applause of the ceremony attendees, Mr. Rifat Hisarciklioğlu put the gown of Doctor Emeritus of the University of Economics and Technology on the head of Turkmen state and presented the certifying diploma to the Turkmen leader. The eminent guest was given flowers. Warmly greeting the Rector, the faculty and students of the University, all the ceremony participants, the head of Turkmen state expressed his gratitude to the management and staff of the prestigious high education institution of Turkey for conferring the high title of “Doctor Emeritus of the University of Economics and Technology”. “I regard this award as a token of friendship and brotherly relations, high respect for Turkmenistan and the Turkmen people, as well as evidence of the high level of relations between our countries,” President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said. Drawing attention to the necessity of further intensive development of the Turkmen-Turkish cooperation in this field as one of the priorities of the interstate dialogue, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov spoke in favor of active establishing direct contacts between research centers and higher education institutions of Turkmenistan and Turkey, conducting joint research and exchange of experience. Then, warmly parting with the ceremony participants, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov departed for his residence. It should be also noted that the meeting held in the Central Office of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey resulted in signing agreements, which added to a package of bilateral documents signed during the official visit of the head of Turkmen state to Turkey. Among them are the Agreement on cooperation in establishing the Turkmen-Turkish Working Group between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of the Turkish Republic and the Agreement on cooperation between the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of the Republic of Turkey. In the evening, an official dinner in honor of the eminent Turkmen guest was given in the “Aksaray” Palace on behalf of President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.